Offaly hurlers face Croker switch

4 May 2011

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OFFALY’S Leinster SHC opener with Dublin on May 29 could be switched from Parnell Park to Croke Park in the wake of the Blue’s historic win over Kilkenny in the Division 1 Hurling League Final on Sunday.

OFFALY’S Leinster SHC opener with Dublin on May 29 could be switched from Parnell Park to Croke Park in the wake of the Blue’s historic win over Kilkenny in the Division 1 Hurling League Final on Sunday.

It has been confirmed that the Dublin County Board has initiated moves to get the game switched from Donnycarney to Drumcondra as it is felt that the capacity of Parnell Park would be insufficient to host the game.

Over 42,000 supporters, the majority of them from Dublin, were in Croke Park on Sunday to see Anthony Daly’s defeat Kilkenny in considerable style on a score-line of 0-22 to 1-7.

Dublin County Board Chairman Andy Kettle said the maximum capacity of Parnell Park, which is the region of 10,000, would not be sufficient adding that last Sunday’s success would further increase interest in the Dublin hurlers.

The decision to change the rests with the Leinster Council as Offaly have expressed no preference regarding the venue.

The Leinster Council met last night (Tuesday) to discuss the options.

Among the options on the table was moving the Offaly v Wexford Leinster Football Championship clash to Croke Park to make up the double header.

Alternatively the Leinster Hurling Championship between the winners of Laois and Antrim versus Wexford could be moved to Croke Park however that would mean either Wexford or Laois ceding home advantage.

It is understood that a triple header of games the following weekend has been ruled out.

The decision to play the game in Parnell Park was met with considerable negativity in Offaly and even prompted Joe Dooley and his management team to write a letter expressing their personal disappointment.

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